View North from New Hance trail, Red Canyon, South Rim, GCNP. Our primary goal was Rama Shrine, the 6411' red Hermit shale capped summit located lower and to the right of dominating Vishnu Temple.

Credit: pseudalpine

Of course, we know this wasn’t that big, or nearly as cheesy, but for some reason, the way we went about this trip may qualify to some as a ‘terrifying force of nature'.

New Hance Trail, Red Canyon, South Rim, GCNP.

Crossing above Hance Rapids.

Traversing the north bank above Hance Rapids.
Asbestos Mine Trail.

Vishnu Temple.

The lower spring, above miner camp, where my younger brother & I had resupplied in Jan., 2000 was dry. There were seeps, upstream, below the pourover, but the location wasn’t good for the following day. We adapted & settled with East Fork Asbestos, above the Shinumo pourover, AH9 Vishnu.

Sheba Temple.

Ascending Rama.

The Tabernacle.

We gained the 6411’ summit of Rama Shrine, ~3000’ above our packs by 8:30. One down, three to go.

Escalante.

Unkar.

Descending Rama.
We were back to our packs ~10:00am & headed over to Sheba, which took about an hour to climb.

We lumbered through Seventy Seven Mile from noon to one. It was hot, likely the crux of the day. Across the river is the South Rim, Red Canyon & Coronado Butte.

Heading over to hike up The Tabernacle after climbing Soloman Temple, our third summit of the day.

Jupiter, Venus & Apollo Temples. Out of view to the left, would be Juno Temple & to the right, Ochoa Point.
I think these five could impressively be done by a superb boater in a long day via Basalt.

Descending the Tabernacle Trail into Rattlesnake Camp. The cold Colorado was a big relief.

Back in the Valley (of the Sun), an OP opinioned on social media about some other fellow users…
“A little further down river we ran into some hiker/pack rafters. They definitely went down river a long ways in those pack rafts. Way further than what is allowed, I believe. Could someone remind me of the regs on this?”

The subsequent post somewhat regressed…
“The pack rafters probably did 2-3 miles at the least. I have it documented but haven't had time to look it up. I have photos of them. I'm not looking to get any one in trouble or report anyone. Just seemed that they were way beyond the allowed. I'm pretty sure they also took out because of strong winds. They probably would have kept going. If there are rules, people should follow them.”

W Wh Wha What, whatever... please tell me this post isn't representative of the privates!? Yup, we’re loving these places to death & it’s getting more crowded, but I don’t see how this attitude improves our situation.

About the AuthorI’ve hiked over 3000 miles in GCNP the last thirty four years and have been climbing there for over twenty. Rama Shrine was my 112 unique summit. The other three, Sheba Temple, Soloman Temple & The Tabernacle were repeats, bringing my total to 132. It was our first four in a day. Thanks to Supai Adventure Gear.

Comments

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Thanks for the TR. That's an ambitious trip in a day, but looking at it again seems like it must have been an overnight. Looks like you were within the 5 mile limit, too, but curious where you hiked out. Packrafting is still pretty unfamiliar to most but it certainly opens up some new possibilities to combine different exploration methods on one itinerary.

This attitude about packrafters is NOT typical from our experience with raft groups but there is a vocal minority attempting to restrict hikers. Because of the extreme distance and terrain, crossing and floating sections of the Colorado river in Grand Canyon is critical access for hikers, climbers, and canyoneers. Stay involved to protect access to the river and beach areas.

where did you see the on-line banter? I just completed a permitted 23 mile packraft and canyoneering trip first week in may. started down n. bass into muave canyon, and exited at tapeats, thunder river bill hall trail.